The island has a length of 280 m and a maximum width of 60 m. Shepperton Lock is 270 m downstream and two other channels leading to weirs diverge off after the island to its southeast. These channels then surround Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island.[1] The island is only accessible by boat, with the facilities of Lock Island downstream and moorings there or by the pub The Thames Court almost opposite its eastern tip on the nearer, north bank.
River leveledit
Above the lock, the variation in river level has been between 0.08 m at the lock gate and 0.99 m. This compares favourably with variation below the lock at between 2.67 m and 4.95 m in depth.[2]
Historyedit
The whole island Dog Ait in about 1880.[3] Click for broader map and to enable varied magnification.
As of May 2020, Sphinx has fetched the highest cost, £1.318 million. This took place in 2013.[11]
Deaths in January 2011edit
In January 2011, a small dinghy ferrying people from the island capsized with the loss of two lives. The fatalities were named as university academic Dr Rex Walford OBE,[12] and record producer Keith Lowde.[13]
^Mike Younger and Joan Whitehead (10 March 2011). "Rex Walford obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
^Harrison, David (9 January 2011). "The Sunday lunch on a river island that ended in tragedy" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
^O'Brien, Christy (5 September 2022) [3 September 2022]. "Surrey island that's like being in Egypt and once home to famous actors and scene of boat tragedy". Surrey Live. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
^"Ian Hendry Rowing Home Across The Thames To Sphinx, Pharoah's Island, Shepperton". Ian Hendry.com. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
"Shepperton Lock". The River Thames Guide. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
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